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The most versatile bass and amp combination ever
- Thread starter A. D. Fairhurst
- Start date
T-40 and a GK RB series. The bass can do tons of different pickup combinations, and the amp can do old school tones to modern hi-fi.
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I can get more tonal variation out of this EBMM Big Al with it's three pickups and four frequency eq + this control-laden Carvin than I know what to do with.
Most sounds? Probably a big Al through some fancy solid state with a 50 slider graphic EQ.
Usable in the most musical contexts? P Bass through and Ampeg.
Usable in the most musical contexts? P Bass through and Ampeg.
Fender Through Fender. The Industry Standard Since 1951.
I would argue that Fender bass amps have hardly been the industry standard.
He said Fender but he meant Ampeg.
If we are strictly talking versatile, I would say my:
(Fender Jazz 4 deluxe with a J-Retro onboard preamp)
(Eden Navigator rack preamp)
(GK Fusion 550 amp into GK neo 412)
I can shape my tone pretty wide!
Old school, funky, Jaco, reggae, gritty, Tubey, Motown, modern, rock, thick, nasally, r&b, boomy, etc.
Having this equipment doesn't make me a better player or sound exactly like other players though, a lot of the tone comes from the fingers!
2 people I really admire in tone is Geddy Lee and Flea.
On the bass, not much can match a Fender J (5 string, for versatility of course) for versatility, but I will mention that some of the exotic builders do exceed the J in that aspect. On the amp end, I would go with an Aguilar (750 or 728+pre) through Aguilar cabs for the most versatility. None of these are my absolute favorite pieces, but they all do quite a few different sounds quite well.
Of course, you can get more sounds and tones out of a modeling unit or multi fx, but I find that, with the exception of just using them to add effects, these units do compromise tone to varying degrees compared to good old analog gear.
Of course, you can get more sounds and tones out of a modeling unit or multi fx, but I find that, with the exception of just using them to add effects, these units do compromise tone to varying degrees compared to good old analog gear.
I like different basses but mostly stick to Fender or Fender style basses. Ampegs are the only amps I'll play, though, unless I'm forced into something else while on a fly gig. Doesn't happen often but it does happen occasionally. Don't worry about your dream rig, though. Play what you've got and be happy you've got it until you can afford better.
Of all the sounds you WANT, a P bass through an Ampeg is the only sound you'll NEED. But it's a long road to realize that, so have fun on the hunt.
Start mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, walking dogs and recycling cans lil buddy. You got a lot of money to save up.
Start mowing lawns, delivering newspapers, walking dogs and recycling cans lil buddy. You got a lot of money to save up.
The great thing about being young and poor means you potentially have a lot of time to work on your technique and the way you use it to bring versatility to your tone with what you've got.
Versatility is not in the equipment.
i used to buy gear for its versatility until i realized I would always find the sound i liked with the gear and leave it there giving a bunch of redundant controls...
Versatility : an amp with a parametric EQ, a loud cabinet with a crossover and midrange speaker or tweeter, an active bass with at least a series/parallel dual-coil pickup right in the middle (MM "sweet spot").
And mostly, knowing how to make all these sound the way you want.
And mostly, knowing how to make all these sound the way you want.
Bingo. Your tone tastes will change over the years. Trying to find your forever setup at this point is pointless.
Just enjoy the ride! Exploring different amps and basses has been part of the fun for me. I have come full circle. I started on a P bass with a simple combo. Somewhwre in the middle I played a hot pink Kramer forum active bass through an ART Nightbass processor and an ADA power amp. These days I play a 5 string P bass through a combo amp (Mesa Walkabout) and a 30W all tube head (Ashdown Little Bastard).
The first source of versatility in tone is in your hands. Technique. If I had to pick a second, it'd probably be the bridge.
What's interesting about being young - When I was 15 I wanted loud pickups, loud amp. Now I prefer more mellow pickups and getting more of the sound of the bass's wood character over the electronic sound. It's always going to change for you but enjoy the journey.
What's interesting about being young - When I was 15 I wanted loud pickups, loud amp. Now I prefer more mellow pickups and getting more of the sound of the bass's wood character over the electronic sound. It's always going to change for you but enjoy the journey.